Phuket residents told to remain calm

BANGKOK The Department of Mineral Resources has told residents in Thailand’s southern region not to panic over tsunami rumours.
Last week, there were some minor tremors registered off the coast of Phuket, but officials at the time reassured residents there was no indication that they would be followed by a tsunami.
However, rumours persisted over the weekend prompting the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to issue clarifications for 23 seaside provinces according to the DMR director-general quoted by the National News Bureau of Thailand.
Department of Mineral Resources’ director-general, Supot Jermsawatdipong, said the quakes were recorded at 2 to 4.6 magnitude on the Richter scale and could be felt in Krabi, Phang Nga, and Phuket.
inside no 6The quakes originated from the Khlong Marui active faults that cut across Surat Thani province and the edge of Phuket province.
The DMR is now studying seismic activity near the two fault lines (Khlong Marui and the Ranong fault), as these two faults have exhibited frequent seismic movement. Recently, the Khlong Marui fault has caused six earthquakes this year.
Sea gypsy communities that took refuge on high land on Phuket island fearing a tsunami was imminent have since returned to their villages.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia